Local Music

Even though I’ve known Dana for a while now, somehow I had never seen any of her bands play before. I had been to a few shows but always missed them by a few minutes. So when she told me that Culture Queer was playing last Thursday, I knew I had to be there. I was so happy to finally catch them! They all definitely blew me away. I see Dana as such a strong, balls out, get shit done kind of woman, that her soft, sweet singing voice really surprised me. It was nice to go out on a week night too, that almost never happens.

I was pretty stoked to rock my new dot tights with shorts, and thought it would be the perfect occasion. They aren’t exactly the kid I want, but they’re the closest I could find. I was feeling lazy though too so I just recycled my hat, shoes, and jewelry from the day before.

WHAT: gray floppy hat, borrowed from boyfriend

anchor necklace, thrift

egg shaped sweatshirt, target

white t, rainbow

jeans, hand me downs

dot tights, forever 21

WHERE: culture queer show at mayday

WHEN: thursday, december 24

Culture Queer in action

dana

With the year coming to a close, I have been thinking back over what 2009 brought me. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been offered all the opportunities that I got this year, from opening a vintage store with two amazing ladies to meeting the man of my dreams. I sometimes feel like I’m dreaming when I realize that I am actually getting paid to do what I love and always dreamed of doing. I just always assumed that owning a store is something I wouldn’t be able to do until I was much older. And so I am doing a little tribute to the remarkable woman who invited me into her life and business, Dana Hamblen.

I met Dana through her sister Maya, who is one of my best friends. Maya had been telling me for weeks that I was going to lose my shit when I saw her store. She was completely right. I will never forget how amazed and excited I was when I walked in. It’s not that Cincinnati has no good vintage, it’s just that they’re all really high priced, and I don’t shop like that. So needless to say I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I saw really unique pieces all under like $15.

Of course since Dana is a total badass, that is not all she does. She works full time at Lightborne, a production studio here in Cincy, and she’s also a member of The Fairmount Girls, Culture Queer, and Darlene. I just honestly don’t know where she finds the time to breathe. While I was searching her on Google, I found this City Beat (Cincinnati’s artsy paper) article about her. They call her an indie rock goddess in the headline. I’d say they got it right.

This is an old picture of her, but she just looks so damn badass I couldn't resist using it.

Not only is she a woman that I respect and admire for all of her accomplishments, she also is one of the most generous and big-hearted people I know. And from the bottom of my heart I thank her for everything she has helped me do. You’re the best Dana.

a night on the town, a day with the kids

Last night Maya, Amy, and I went out to Mayday (the former Gypsy Hut) for the cd release party of The Minor Leagues, a really great local Cincinnati band.You can check em out at http://www.minorleaguesmusic.com/

(From left) Patrick Helmes, Josh Combs (I believe), and Hilly Kenkel

Amanda Lee Anderson of http://www.amandalee.org/

the whole gang

We ran all around Northside and had a fantastic little night on the town. Since Chicken Lays An Egg just signed up for a collaborative ad with Mayday, (as well as Sidewinder, Bughouse Video, Melt, and possibly Shake It Records) Maya and I were eager to meet Kim and Vanessa the new owners of Mayday and Sidewinder. They were as sweet and fun as I could have hoped for and I hope to do a lot of business with them in the future. Support your local female small business owners and go check out Mayday, it still has all the things you love about the old Gypsy Hut but better!

Anyway, here’s what I wore; I only wish I had gotten better ones of Amy and Maya’s adorable outfits too. Sorry for the image quality on some of these!

curtsy

check out the awesome yellow lining!

braclet & belt

best quarter machine ring ever

knee highs & mary janes

WHAT: black t with bubble sleeves, rainbow

orange patent belt, chicken lays an egg

paisley and yellow satin skirt, chicken lays an egg

black and white tablet bracelet, chicken lays an egg

green rhinestone ring, quarter machine

white knee socks, thrift

mustard mary janes, target online

WHERE: mayday and northside tavern

WHEN: saturday november 14

amy

amys shoes

miss maya

knee sock party

It was a completely accidental knee sock party!

And today I have an easy day of hanging with Max and Vivi, the kids I’ve been babysitting for most of their lives, so we’ve got a definite rapport. Not to mention that they really are really well-behaved, fun, and crazy smart. And if I ever planned on having a grown-up house, I’d love to have a gorgeous giant Victorian like theirs.

look at that wraparound porch!